Land anchor



May 29, 1934.

G. KUHN LAND ANCHOR Original Filed March 17, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May29, 1934. KUHN 1,960,639

LAND ANCHOR original Filed Maron 1'?,l 195o 2 shetsheet 2 Patented May29, 1934 UNITED STATES LAND ANCHOR George Kuhnf'akoma Park, Md.

Application March 17, 1930, Serial No.'436,575 Renewed October 17, 19337 Claims. (Cl. 189-91) The present invention relates to an earth an-Vchor and particularly to such an anchor of the screw type provided withhelical blades which, when the anchor has been screwed into iinalposition, may be radially projected relative to the shank of the anchorto lock the latter securely in the ground. Inasmuch as according to thepresent invention a relatively large projection of the blades ispossible, these may be made of relatively small size so as to be easilyturned in sinking the anchor and yet provide adequate resistance todislodgrnent of the same.

According to the present invention, the blades may be projected, whenthe anchor has been sunk to the desired depth, by a further rotation ofthe shank in the unscrewing direction in the one instance, or by afurther rotation in the entering direction in another instance. In therst instance, a tubular socket wrench may be utilized to prevent theprojection of the blades upon reverse rotation of the shank so that ifan obstruction is encountered the anchor may be removed and set in a newposition. In the second instance, such a tubular wrench must be providedin order to prevent the projection of the blades as the anchor is beingsunk. In this latter instance, after the blades have been projected,they may again be retracted upon reverse rotation of the shank so as toenable the anchor to be withdrawn from the ground.

The invention will be particularly described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is an elevation of the lower endof the anchor with the tubular socket Wrench shown in section. l

Figure 2 is a plan View of the lower end of the anchor with the shank insection.

Figure 3 is a View similar to Figure 2 showing the blades in projectedposition. Y

Figure 4 is a section on line 4 4 or" Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an enlarged end View of the socket implement.

Figure 6 is an elevation of a second embodiment of theinvention with thesocket implement shown in section.

Figure 7 is a plan View of the second embodiment with the shank shown incross section.

Figure 8 is a View similar to Figure 7 with the blades shown inprojected position, and

Figure 9 is a section on line 9-9 of Figure 8.

Referring rst to Figures 1 to 5, reference numeral 10 denotes anelongated rod or shank having at its lower end a radially expandedportion 11 terminating in a point 12. The extremity of portion 11opposite point 12 forms an annular shoulder 13 whose face is in a planesubstantially at right angles to the axis of the shank.

As shown in Figure 1, the main portion of the shank is cylindrical, butabove its enlarged extremity it is squared off or reduced at itsopposite sides and projecting from these sides in spaced relation toshoulder 13 are oppositely projecting shoulders 14 and 15, each ofsubstantially the same radial projection as shoulder 13.

These shoulders 14 and 15 are provided with bores parallel to the axisof shank 10 and adapted to receive pivot pins in the form of cap screws16 and 17, whose lower ends may be screw threaded in registeringbores-in shoulder 13.

As shown, in the drawings, two helical blades or wings 18 and 19 areprovided, each having integral with its leading end and at its inneredge, a lug 20 or 21 extending a substantial distance around shank 10and each having a portion in advance or" the leading edge of itsassociated blade adapted to be engaged between shoulders 14 or 15 and 13and having a bore adapted to receive a pin 16 or 17. Lug 20 has anextension 22 adapted to lie along rod 10 and lug 21 has a similarextension 23, these extensions dening, in the retracted position of theblades and in conjunction with shoulders 14 and 15, a crown adapted tobe received in a socket element 24 xed to the end of a tubular meinber25. The opposite end of tubular element 25 is squared to receive awrench as is also the upper extremity of rod 10. The lower portionsofthe lugs form a continuation of the cylinder dened by enlargement 1l,and it will be seen that the portion of each lug engaged by the pivotpin is at substantially right angles to its main body portions.A Y

It will be noted that the reduced portion of rod 10 immediately aboveshoulders 14 and 15 serves to permit the insertion of pivot pins l@ and17 in their respective bores. As a matter of fact, these pivotingelements need not be in the form or" cap screws but can be in the :formof simple pins which may be dropped in their receiving apertures andseated against the bottom of the bores in expanded portion 11.

It will be obvious that the anchor as described may be screwed inposition either by rotation to the right of rod 10 or tube 25. 'Ihe tubewill ordinarily be used since otherwise if an obstruction is encounteredbefore the anchor has been fully sunk, it will be impossible to withdrawit by reverse rotation of rod 10, since such rotation causes theprojection of the blades and consequent locking of the anchor. When thesocket implement is used, however, it is obvious that it will preventprojection of the blades and the anchor may be unscrewed and set in anew position.

It will be understood that when the sunk rod is reversely rotated, thesocket member having previously been withdrawn, the frictionalengagement of the blades with the earth will restrain them fromparticipation in the rod rotation and they will be cammed into radiallyprojected posi- 4tion and engaged in earth not disturbed during theentering operation. The resistance of the earth to the reverse rotationor the blades is greater than its resistance to their radial projection.

The embodiment according to Figures 6 to 9- is exactly the same as thatdescribed with reference to Figures 1 to 5, with the exception that inthis instance lugs 28 and 27, kwhich have up- Ward squared extensions 26and 2'7 f ,are xed to the trailing ends of blades 28 and 29, and theirpivoting portions are disposed to the rear of the trailing ends.According to each of the embodiments, the blades extend somewhat morethan half way about the shank, which means that the inner edges of theblades'at their free ends must be cut away to permit their free pivotalmovement. This being the case, the inner edges of the leading ends ofthe blades, according to Figures 6 to 9, are somewhat spaced fromenlargement ll, thus forming crevices likely to catch .roots or the likeand prevent rotation of the anchor. I accordingly form lugs 3G andBl onenlargement 11 as shown in Figures l and 9, these being so formed as toll in the spaces which would otherwise exist so that the blades presenta substantially continuous entering edge up to the enlargement.

According to this second embodiment, upon rotation of rod 10 in theentering direction, the same camming action is exerted on the blade asis exerted upon reverse rotation in the first embodiment, andconsequently in sinking this type of anchor, it is essential that thesocket irnplement be engaged Yaround extensions 25" and 2 to hold themagainst the shank. When the anchor has been sunk to the desired extent,the implement is withdrawn and upon rotating shank l0, still in theentering direction, the blades are expanded due to the resistance oi theearth to their rotation. It it is desired to remove the anchor, shank 10is turned in the unsorewing direction, whereupon the blades are nrstretracted to the position of Figures 6 and l and then :nove upwardly out,of the ground. This form of anchor is particularly useful in temporaryinstallations.

It will be understood that l do not limit myself to the precisemechanical details shown and described, since many modiications arepossible without departing from the invention as deiined in thefollowing claims.

' I claim: f

l. In a deviceof the class described, an elongatederod having a pointedlower end, a downwardly unobstructed helical blade extending part wayaround the rod adjacent the lower end of the latter, and pivoting meansmounted on the rod and engaging the blade, the axis of said pivotingmeans being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod, the bladebeing outwardly raially movable relative to the rod about said pivotingmeans.

2. In a device of the class described, an elongated rod having aradially expanded terminally pointed portion at one end thereof providedwith a bore substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis oi thev bar,said portion being tapered from its extreme outer periphery to itspoint, a helical blade extending part way around the rod adjacent saidexpanded portion, and a pivot pin mounted in-saidbore and in engagementwith said blade, the, blade being outwardly radially movable relative tovthe rod about said pin.

3. Ina device of the class described, an elongated rod having a radiallyexpanded terminally pointed portion at one-end tl'lereof-provided with avborev substantially parallel tothe longitudinal oi the rod, saidportionbeingtapered from its extreme outer-periphery toit's point, a shoulderon said rod spaced from said expanded portion'and having a bore inalignment with-said first-mentioned bore, a helical blade partiallysurrounding the rod adjacentsaid expanded portion, a lug ori-said-blade'engaged'betweenv said expanded portion and said shoulder andprovided with a bore aligned with those above mentioned, and a pinengaged in said bores, the blade being outwardly radially movablerelativeto the rod about said pin.` 'f f f 4. In a device or" the classdescribed, a lower end portion tapered to a point at its lowerextremity, a pair oi pins vsecuredto the upper end of said portionwithin the peripheral-outline of said upper end and in parallel relationto the axis of said portion, and helical blades respectively pivotedadjacentl their leading ends on said pins andradially projectablerelative to the rod upon reverse rotation of the latter. Y

5. n a device ci the class described, a lower end portion tapered to apoint at its lower extrennty, a pair or' pins secured to the upper endkof said portion within the peripheral outline of said upper end and inparallel relation to the axis of said portion, and helical bladesrespectively pivoted adjacent their-trailing ends on said pins vandradially projectable relative to the rod upon rotary movement of thelatter in the entering direction.

6. ln a device of the class described, a lower end portion tapered to apoint at its lower extremity, a pair of pins secured to the upper endVof said portion within the peripheral outline of said upper end and inparallel relation to the ci said portion, lugs mounted on said pins andadapted to lie substantially within the peripheral outline of said upperend, and helical blades having their respective inner edges fixed tosaid lugs adjacent their leading ends, the blades being projectableupon. reverse rotation of said lower'end portion, the lugspprojectingupwardly to denne a polygonal crown adapted to be engaged in a socketwrench. v

7. ln a device of the class described, a lower end portion tapered to apoint at its lower extremity, a pair of pins secured to the upper endor" said portion within the peripheral loutline of said upper end and inparallel relationto the axis of said portion, lugs mounted on said pins:and adapted to lie substantially within the peripheral outline of saidupper end, and helical blades having their respective inner edges xed tosaid lugs adjacent their trailing ends,the blades being radiallyprojectable upon rotaryll" movement of said lower end portion in theentering direction, the lugs being upwardly extended to denne apolygonal crown adapted to be engaged in a socket wrench.

GEORGE KUHN. M5

